Folsom falls to Bruins at buzzer, 52-51

After more than 31 minutes of game time, the only thing standing between the Folsom High girls’ basketball team and its first Delta River League win was a last-second put back.
Visiting Ponderosa (1-3 DRL, 6-15) trailed most of the game and by as many as 10 points in the first quarter. Offensive rebounds favored the Bruins all game, grabbing 14 in the first half and five more in the second. The game ended up being decided on one rebound, as Ponderosa’s Brooke Sinner followed a missed three-pointer and beat the buzzer to win it 52-51.
The game’s leading scorer, Folsom’s Jenny Hackelman with 16 points, countered a Ponderosa basket by streaking down court and taking back a 51-50 lead with 8.5 seconds left. Folsom had two fouls to give. Only one was committed.
“We missed that chance. We were supposed to foul,” said Folsom coach Lynn Wolking. “It’s a whole other strategy with five seconds left and three-quarters of the floor to guard.”
Two rebounders, Gabrielle Miller and Christy Bolton, were set to come back in after the second foul. Ponderosa inbounded with 6.6 seconds left and eluded the defense at midcourt to keep those rebounders sidelined.
The Bulldogs made 1-of-5 free throws in the final quarter, adding to an overall abysmal 3-of-13 from the stripe. Ponderosa made 9-of-14 free throws, but one miss here or one more made by Folsom could have taken the game to overtime.
Folsom remained winless in the league as Ponderosa grabbed its first win. Early on it looked like 4-of-6 three-point shooting in the first quarter by Folsom would lead the team to victory. The Bulldogs led 15-5 in the first and by three points at the start of the fourth.
Hackelman sank two threes in the game. Folsom’s style changed from quarter to quarter – the first was three-pointers, the third was points on steals and the fourth was all heart. Wolking said Hackelman always displays the heart she showed against Ponderosa.
“It was really hard. I know everybody gave everything they had and for [Ponderosa] to hit that last-second shot was like, “Oh my God. What just happened?” said Hackelman. “We should have had that win. We had it in our back pocket.”
Folsom freshman Danielle DaCosta was strong to the hoop and finished with eight points. Bolton also had eight. Sophomore guard Maddie Totushek had seven points.
Folsom’s next game is at St. Francis on Friday.